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Struggles After Life Abroad: The Wins and Loses of Moving Back Home

Hey loves,

In continuing this journey from living abroad to moving back home, this week, I hope to share a quick snapshot of my transition journey back to American living. When I initially had thoughts of leaving life abroad in the Middle East, I received so many questions. Namely? Why …

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Yet after months of meditation, the various reasons to give up my guilded life became increasingly clear … Or so I thought. With my life repacked in four oversized suitcases, this time last year, I hopped the next plane back to the United States. At the time, little did I know, that the adventure coming home would be even more taxing than the initial steps of leaving to Qatar.

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In the months that followed, I came home with a significant about of money in my pocket and a fresh pair of rose-tined glasses. I planned to rest a bit, working on my creative pursuits for the next six months before returning to the “real world” and 9-5 life … But not before adding new stamps to the passport by island hopping and discovering more the Caribbean while visiting the U.S Virgin Islands, my maternal home … Most of all, coming home meant reconnecting with my loved ones and, in my mind, picking up right where we left off. Only? Better. They say time heals all wounds, right?

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Sadly, I had no idea things would fall apart almost as soon as I landed at the airport (JFK). From struggling with my luggage as no one was there to meet me, to falling right back into interpersonal family drama … I realized almost immediately that a true sense of peace would once again, only come via escape. Leaving my hometown where I initially landed, and moving back to NYC (which had been my home for 13yrs) allowed for just enough distance from the chaos I’d walked back into, while enjoying the simple pleasures of “coming home.”

The only problem? The cost of freedom (and rent) was expensive, both financially and emotionally. The following vlog below discusses my journey of hopping back into NYC life, finding work after life abroad, landing in a sweatshop, and key realizations about home. Hope to see you guys there!


Love My Style? Shop the Closet!

Below are links to some of your favorite pieces from this week’s look! As always, many the fashion items featured here showcase pieces directly from our Q.A.C Webstore and will be highlighted with “add to cart.”

Shop the accessories featured in this week’s post below!

Handmade Woven Qatari Purse Handmade Woven Qatari Purse
Sold Out
Handmade Woven Qatari Purse
$80.00
Red Rose Red Rose
Red Rose
$165.00
Shop the Entire Closet!
Cowrie Shell Ring
Cowrie Shell Ring
$40.00
Love Sankofa
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Love Sankofa
$30.00
Ankh
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Ankh
$35.00
Golden Ganesha Ring
Golden Ganesha Ring
$35.00
Nyame Ring
Nyame Ring
$35.00
Bali Taracotta Ring
Bali Taracotta Ring
$45.00
Buy Brass Ring Indonesia
Mekanis
$20.00
Buy Lapis Ring
Sold Out
Lapis Ring
$20.00
upload
Love Quartz
$20.00
Buy Amethyst Ring from Indonesia
Sold Out
Amethyst Ring
$40.00

Alright loves, that’s all for now. As always .. The Journey Continues!

Travel With Me!
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How to Make Ghanaian "Light Soup!"
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Struggles After Life Abroad: The Wins and Loses of Moving Back Home
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Struggles After Life Abroad: The Wins and Loses of Moving Back Home
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Queen Adwoa's Closet repatriation to United States
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The Journey Home: Life After Repatriation
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Natural Hair While Living Abroad in the Middle East - Moisturizing & Perfecting the L.O.C Method
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Natural Hair While Living Abroad in the Middle East - Moisturizing & Perfecting the L.O.C Method
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Our Editor in Chief

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meet our e.i.c
tags: moving abroad, travel tips
categories: Queen Adwoa's Closet, Expat, Travel
Sunday 03.29.20
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

The Journey Home: Life After Repatriation

Despite some of the difficult experiences I'd had while living in Qatar, the staff at my now former home were always so kind ... Ever present with duplicate key after clumsily locking myself out of my apartment or an unexpected cup of homemade ginger tea after falling ill for months. Their kindness and humanity first welcomed an anxious new traveler nearly two years ago, smoothing over what initially felt like a jarring transition. And now? .... It was all over.

Read more

tags: queen adwoa's closet, expat, repatriation, united states, travel
categories: Queen Adwoa's Closet, Travel, Expat
Monday 07.29.19
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

Moving Abroad Changed My Relationships

Hey loves.

In keeping with getting a little more personal on the Q.A.C blog space, this week, I’m diving into another topic close to my heart and chatting about the recent shift I’ve noticed in a few of my relationships. Thinking back to my college years, one of the realist pieces of advice my dad has ever given was:

“Be careful who you share your good news with …

Not everyone who hears will be happy for you.”

At the time, it sat with me like a tired old cliché. The kind parents often use to convey some grand life lesson. However, in time? Particularly over the last year, I’ve come to realize no truer words could have been spoken. This time last year. I’d just received a job offer to live / work abroad and like any good millennial, I immediately announced my middle East move online.

Read more

tags: expats and mental health, expat, living abroad, qatar world cup, Qatar, solo travel
categories: Queen Adwoa's Closet, Expat, Travel
Tuesday 01.15.19
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

Mental Health ... Living Abroad ... And Making Self-Care a Priority

Hey loves,

Doing one last check in for 2018. Can you believe the end of the year is already here? While the masses prep their newfound resolutions and make solemn vows of what they won’t bring into the new year? My thoughts lately have been focused more on remembering what’s truly important, caring for myself … This includes my mental health.

Read more

tags: mental health, expats and mental health, self-care, staycation, mental health abroad
categories: Queen Adwoa's Closet, Travel, Wellness, Expat
Sunday 12.30.18
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

The Traveler's Guide to Ramadan in Qatar

For new expats or travelers like myself living abroad in (or visiting) Muslim countries during Ramadan, not only does this mean a dramatic shift in the slowing down of all business activities and social functions (check new hours of business before heading out), it also means learning a list of new rules when navigating the your host country. Below are just a few "do's and don'ts" for Ramadan newbies.

Read more

tags: queen adwoa's closet, travel, ramadan, ramadan kareem, ramadan 2018, ramadan qatar, expat, travel during ramadan, ramadan travel, qatar world cup, Qatar
categories: Travel, Queen Adwoa's Closet, Expat
Thursday 05.17.18
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

Vetting Companies & Spotting Frauds (Expat Series Part 3)

Hi loves,

Back again with another installment from the "Expat Series" and this time, today's topic came to me via email. Desi, part of our online fam asked, how did I know my recent job offer was the real thing and not some form of pyramid scheme, identity theft, or worse?! It was a great question and one I really wanted to be sure I followed up with here, as I might imagine many of you might be wondering the same. Of course everyone will say "do your research." But what does that really entail? What exactly did I look for when vetting my new company? ... Below I give a few short specifics:

Read more

tags: work abroad, job search, expat, study abroad, queen adwoa's closet, travel, resume
categories: Expat, Job Search, Culture, Queen Adwoa's Closet, Travel
Tuesday 02.06.18
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

Applying for Jobs Overseas - Expat Series (Part 2)

That said, what better time than now to share what I've learned so far. Check out these easy tips, that can make you more marketable and help you in your search!

Read more

tags: queen adwoa's closet, Middle East, job search, work abroad, travel, resume
categories: Travel, Queen Adwoa's Closet, Expat, Job Search
Friday 12.22.17
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
Comments: 2
 

I've Moved to the Middle East! - Expat Series (Part 1)

Hi loves!

Again, it's been a long while since I've had the chance to chat up with you guys. Since my last post, SO much has changed! ... I moved out of NYC ... I've started a new job .. And moved into new apartment ... All in a NEW country! I'm beyond excited to share my journey of living and exploring the Middle East and I hope you are too!

Read more

tags: moving abroad, move overseas, expat, queen adwoa's closet, motivation, Middle East, qatar
categories: Travel, Culture, Queen Adwoa's Closet, Expat
Friday 12.22.17
Posted by Angela Barimah, Owner of Queen Adwoa's Closet
 

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